Medical News Today: What causes pain in the penis?

Many conditions can cause penis pain, and it can range from mild to severe. Pain may occur at rest, during sexual activity, or when urinating.

While a person can sometimes get relief from penis pain at home, some underlying causes may need medical treatment.

This article looks at the possible causes of penis pain, as well as the additional symptoms and treatment options for each.

Causes of penis pain include:

Peyronie’s disease

Various conditions may cause penis pain.

Peyronie’s disease occurs when scar tissue creates plaque that builds up on the top or bottom of the penis.

The cause of Peyronie’s disease is still unclear, but doctors believe it to be a result of scarring to the penis. Scarring may be due to an autoimmune disease or a severe or repeated injury to the penis.

shockwave therapy, which uses electroshock waves to break up the scar tissue and reduce plaque

If symptoms are severe and do not improve, a person may require surgery.

Balanitis

Balanitis refers to when the head of the penis becomes inflamed. This inflammation can happen in people who have not had circumcision, especially if they do not wash or dry the area underneath the foreskin properly.

Priapism

Priapism causes a prolonged erection without any sexual stimulation. It can be very painful.

In some cases, the cause is unknown. In other cases, however, priapism can be a result of other conditions. These conditions may include trauma to the genitals or spinal cord, sickle cell disease, or pelvic health conditions.

Priapism can be a serious medical condition, and people should seek medical help if they have a prolonged, painful erection with no sexual stimulation or an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours.

A person can try taking a cold shower, applying an ice pack, or climbing stairs to relieve the erection at first.

Medical treatment may include:

pain medications, such as opiates

injecting medication into the penis to allow normal blood circulation

creating a small hole or passage, called a shunt, to allow normal blood flow between the penis and the rest of the body

Urinary tract infections

If bacteria enter the urinary tract, it can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). They are more common in females, but they can also affect males. Generally, these infections are quite common.

In addition to penis pain, symptoms of a UTI in males may include:

pain or a burning sensation when urinating

feeling the need to urinate when bladder is empty

a frequent urge to urinate

blood in the urine

A doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat a UTI.

Prostatitis

Pain-relieving medication can help relieve prostatitis symptoms.

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, which can cause pain in the penis and pelvic area. Bacterial infections, nerve inflammation, and injuries can all cause prostatitis.

Symptoms of prostatitis include:

difficulty urinating

pain or burning when urinating

pain in the penis, testicles, or bladder

painful ejaculation

People can take antibiotics to treat prostatitis. Pain relief medication, prostate massage, and hot compresses can also help ease symptoms.

Urethritis

Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis.

Causes of urethritis include:

bacteria

viruses

injury

reaction to spermicides or contraceptive lotions

Symptoms may include:

an itchy, tender, or swollen penis

a frequent urge to urinate

burning sensation when urinating

small bumps in the groin area

pain during sex or ejaculation

A doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat urethritis.

Phimosis

Phimosis occurs when the foreskin tightens so much that it is too tight to pull back. It is common in young children before the foreskin loosens, but it can also cause painful symptoms in teenagers and adults.

Treatment for phimosis usually includes applying a steroid cream to the foreskin daily. Taking pain relievers may also help.

Paraphimosis

Paraphimosis is a condition in which people are unable to pull the foreskin forward over the tip of the penis. Paraphimosis is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Additional symptoms include:

pain in the penis

swelling in the tip of the penis

the head of the penis turning a different color, such as blue or red

Treatment for paraphimosis involves reducing the swelling at the tip of the penis to allow the foreskin to return to the correct position.

If doctors are unable to do this, they may make a small incision to reduce the swelling. In some cases, people may need a circumcision.

Penile fracture

A penile fracture occurs when an erect penis is bent, causing a part of it to tear. It is not technically a fracture, as there are no bones in the penis.